Systems and methods for tracking and providing workflow information

Abstract

A tangible computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable program instructions that generate a user interface for displaying workflow information associated with a tissue specimen in a pathology laboratory. The program instructions may be configured to perform a method including displaying a virtual laboratory component representing a physical pathology laboratory having one or more laboratory stations for processing the tissue specimen, wherein the tissue specimen is processed by the one or more laboratory stations according to a workflow, and displaying a specimen indicator that indicates a current specimen state based on a current relationship of the tissue specimen to the workflow. The method may further include enabling a first active component associated with the virtual laboratory component, wherein the first active component is configured to receive a user selection of a laboratory station and generating a supplemental view component of the selected laboratory station in response to the user selection, wherein the supplemental view provides supplemental information on processing by the selected laboratory station of the tissue specimen.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61 / 064,359 filed on Feb. 29, 2008, and 61 / 071,852 filed on May 21, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present disclosure relates to laboratory data and, more particularly, to tracking and providing workflow data associated with a laboratory to a user.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Advances in analytical science have made it possible to extract a wide variety of information from a biological specimen. For example, it may be possible to assess the health, identify possible future health issues, and provide information related to the genetic makeup of an individual from which the specimen was obtained. The benefits of such analysis, however, may be lost if results are associated with the wrong individual and / or if the specimen is processed incorrectly.[0004]Many of these biological speci...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The benefits of such analysis, however, may be lost if results are associated with the wrong individual and / or if the specimen is processed incorrectly.

In a laboratory, many resources and man-hours may be consumed to process, prepare, and test a specimen.

Each specimen may also pass through many lab stations and may be handled by many operators, leading to potential losses in efficiency and clerical errors, among other things.

Each station or process thus introduces more costs and opportunities for error.

For example, one or more technicians may repeatedly perform process steps incorrectly (e.g., use an incorrect stain, embed a sample in too much paraffin, section a specimen too closely, etc.).

Because such processes may not be tracked, and / or because such data may not be easily and succinctly summarized for review by administrators, costly errors may go uncorrected.

However, this incurs yet additional expenses.

However, these manual methods do not adequately provide information on the workflow of a specimen as it is processed in the laboratory.

Nor do manual methods lend themselves to quickly and efficiently providing high-level summary data to the lab manager or others with an interest in gaining an understanding of the overall operations of the laboratory.

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